converse
kuhn-VURS
Converse (verb) means to talk with someone; to have a conversation. Example: “They conversed quietly in the corner of the room.”
verb
1
To talk with someone; to have a conversation.
"They conversed quietly in the corner of the room."
"It was refreshing to converse with someone who really listened."
adj
1
Reversed in order or relationship; opposite.
"The converse of that statement is not necessarily true."
"He argued the converse position to hers."
noun
1
The opposite or reverse of something, especially a statement or idea.
"If all squares are rectangles, the converse — that all rectangles are squares — is false."
How to use converse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a verb, simply "to talk"; as an adjective or noun, "the reverse or opposite" (as in logic or argument).
Common mistake
Don't confuse this with the shoe brand Converse, which is unrelated and always capitalised.
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Word forms
- Plural
- converses
- Third person singular
- converses
- Past tense
- conversed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ quietly in the corner of the room.
Etymology
The verb is from Latin conversari, "to live among, keep company with." The adjective/noun sense comes from Latin conversus, "turned around."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for converse
See all rhymes for converse →Frequently asked questions
What does “converse” mean?
The word “converse” means to talk with someone; to have a conversation. In plain terms, as a verb, simply "to talk"; as an adjective or noun, "the reverse or opposite" (as in logic or argument).
How do you pronounce “converse”?
“Converse” is pronounced kuhn-VURS (/kənˈvɝs/ in IPA).
How do you use “converse” in a sentence?
Here is “converse” used in a sentence: “They conversed quietly in the corner of the room.”
What is another word for “converse”?
Words with a similar meaning to “converse” include chat, common, confab, confabulate, conversate and convo.
What part of speech is “converse”?
Depending on how it is used, “converse” can be a verb, an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “converse” come from?
The word “converse” comes from Latin. The verb is from Latin conversari, "to live among, keep company with." The adjective/noun sense comes from Latin conversus, "turned around.".
Is “converse” a common word?
“Converse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “converse” have?
“Converse” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to talk with someone; to have a conversation.
